Audio Research has announced special-edition versions of its Reference Series vacuum tube amplifiers. The new Reference 75 SE (stereo), Reference 150 SE (stereo), and Reference 250 SE (shown here, mono) incorporate the KT150 output tube, as well as many other performance upgrades. Current Reference Series amplifers can be fully upgraded to receive the Special Edition enhancements. Pricing was not yet announced.

From Audio Research
The current Reference Series amplifiers are some of the most awarded amplifiers Audio Research has created--each amplifier has been designated Amplifier of the Year or Component of the Year from major trade magazines. In spite of such great success, the engineers and designers at Audio Research have been hard at work creating the new state-of-the-art in music reproduction.

After announcing that the GS150 amplifier would feature the new KT150 output tube, we were asked whether we would incorporate them in our Reference amplifiers. Not satisfied with merely changing output tubes, we decided to also include substantial performance upgrades in the Reference amplifiers to coincide with the changeover to the KT150.

In addition to changing from the KT120 to the KT150 output tube, there are a number of active and passive parts changes in the SE amplifiers that result in dramatic sonic improvements. Simply put, they are better in every way: purity and lack of grain, resolution, micro- and macro-dynamics, separation and instrumental focus, phase and time coherence, and greatly improved bass weight, authority and control. These improvements are immediate and gratifying.

The Reference 75, 150, and 250 amplifiers can be fully upgraded to include all SE enhancements, adding further value and performance for owners of existing amplifiers. Upgrades for the U.S. and Canada will be performed as a factory upgrade, while customers outside North America can contact their distributor to schedule their upgrade.

Here are some of the specs for the new SE models:

Reference 75 SE
• Power Output: 75 watts per channel continuous from 20Hz to 20kHz. 1kHz total harmonic distortion typically 0.6% at 75 watts, below 0.05% at 1 watt.
• Power Bandwidth: (-3dB points) 7Hz to 60kHz
• Frequency Response: (-3dB points at 1 watt) 0.7Hz to 75 kHz
• Dimensions: 19 inches wide x 8.75 high x 19.5 deep
• Weight: 47 pounds

Reference 150 SE
Power Output: 150 watts per channel continuous from 20Hz to 20kHz. 1kHz total harmonic distortion typically 0.6% at 150 watts, below 0.03% at 1 watt.
• Power Bandwidth: (-3dB points) 5Hz to 80kHz
Frequency Response: (-3dB points at 1 watt) 0.5Hz to 120 kHz
• Dimensions: 19 inches wide x 8.75 high x 19.5 deep
• Weight: 75 pounds

Reference 250 SE
Power Output: 250 watts per channel continuous from 20Hz to 20kHz. 1kHz total harmonic distortion typically 0.5% at 250 watts, below .04% at 1 watt.
• Power Bandwidth: (-3dB points) 5Hz to 70kHz
Frequency Response: (-3dB points at 1 watt) 0.5Hz to 110 kHz
• Dimensions: 19 inches wide x 8.75 high x 19.5 deep
• Weight: 73 pounds

Additional Resources
• Audio Research Releases New Reference 150 Amplifier at HomeTheaterReview.com.
• Visit Audio Research's website for more product information.